Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Brakes Why steal brake lines.....

Speaking of brake fluid, is there any special reason spec for the 1998 SVT calls for DOT 3? The DOT 3 requirement doen't seem to make sense.

Like I need MORE clamping force on my already warped rotors??? Piece of crap OEM brakes...

The higher the D.O.T. level the more frequently you have to change the fluid because it sucks up more moisture faster than the lower D.O.T. level.

DOT 3 last longer but has a lower boiling point. DOT 5 absorbs more water faster but has a higher boiling point. Most street cars won't hit the boiling point unless you are Autocrossing or pushing it big time to get it up into those temperatures.

-Andy

Ummmm ... with all this knowledge flying around I now know I need to change my break fluid. Of course I have the Baer Kit and love stomping them all the time Comes with the braided lines which I like but with the bigger brakes I didn't really notice a gain. The things just stop the car, pretty much no matter what is thrown at it.

Hey Chow, know any DOT approved stainless steel lines? Cause I don't...

SP Motorsports claims the Areoquip's to be.
http://www.spmotorsports.com/contour_brakelines.html

And yet aeroquip claims their lines are not... :rolleyes:

Earl's Teflon/braided stainless STEEL BRAKE lines are DOT approved. http://www.earlsperformance.com/html/index.htm

I'd be surprised if Aeroquip Teflon/Stainless lines were not DOT approved, as they are pretty much the pioneer of braided SS hose, although primarily for the aircraft industry.

Make sure you only use the braided SS hose w/ Teflon liner for brake lines as the rubber lined is not suitable for brakes. But great for fuel lines tho.

jay

Yes, I read the Earl lines were DOT approved.
Is there an application for the contour?

I was surprised also...
http://fp.enter.net/~suncoast/Brake%20lines.htm

Actually, I believe Earl's only available thru retailers, primarily speed shops. And i don't believe they market their hoses pre-assembled for specific applications. I'm not current on their offerings, but back in the '80s when i had a speed-shop business i carried the Earl's line & I had to order the hose & components, then custom cut & assembly the hose @ my shop to suit customer reqmts. Brake lines were an exception, in that pre-assembled hoses were ordered pre-assembled (and I believe pressure-tested), for safety sake. But the hose was ordered by size (AN-4 for brake lines) & length provided by customer.

Some specialty shops, such as for Corvettes, for which I have knowledge of, offer application specific brake lines based on their own measurements. You may find similar offerings for Ford autos.

If i recall, the best hose to use for brake lines are those w/ crimped-ends (vs. the reusable ends) & also w/ short-stiff plastic sleeves installed over the hose at each end.

I strongly suggest regular examination of SS/braided brake lines for fraying or leaks, which generally occur @ ends.

Hope this helps.
jay